Step 1: Realization of the hand

First, I am dedicated to the realization of "Thing" and I ​​used the technique of papier-mâché then I created a silhouette of my hand using wire mesh. I tried to be as accurate as possible. I overlapped many trips of paper and I collated in with plenty of vinyl glue.

When the paper was dry, the hand had to be plaster. I covered the whole hand using a brush and a spatula. At this stage I tried to correct the imperfections due to the mesh, holes, depressions, bumps, etc...

When the grout was still not completely dry, I sponged the surface with a damp sponge, this helped to level out well and you avoided having to sand with sandpaper later.

Then I colored the hand with a paint spray.

Step 2: The box

The box has a hole in the bottom to pass electrical wires and a lath with a hook to hang the box. This has been colored with spray paint, too. The hand has been attacked to the box using a bracket and the bracket has been locked in hand with polyurethane foam.

Step 3: The work is done!

The holder has been attached to the fingers with silicone. The cover has held in place with a hook kitchen and a rubber band. I fixed the electrical system and the work is done.

The original formula I found was just a standard paper Mache formula used with dryer lint instead of newspaper. It was basically 2:1 water to flour, heated. I do a lot of paper craft and paper sculpture so I have made many changes and revisions over the years. Most of the time I use one of three recipes depending on what I am doing.

Soak the paper in water until it is a thick, gooey, glob of pulp. Strain out excess water, Mix ingredients. Slowly add the ingredients to the paper. Add water as needed until you get a thick, spreadable constancy.

When you work with it you can shape it very nicely, but I have found that if I keep trying to smooth it too much it just pulls apart. I usually let it dry, then sand it to smooth and use a final coat of the next recipe.

When I want to finish off a paper Mache sculpture I create a sort of "slurry" mix using the following: Previous recipe before adding paper dryer lint, extra glue-all and water create the same as previous except use dryer lint, then add glue-all and water to thin the mixture as needed fill in gaps and smooth out the finish.

If an even smother finish is required, use pure joint compound as a slurry but work quickly since it hardens quickly.

I have been trying to work out a new recipe using reconstituted paper mache but I have not perfected it yet. I want to get something with the constancy of paper mache that has joint compound in it, but with a much longer working time and a less grainy texture.

It would be fairly easy to modify. Just install a small servo motor, relay, a couple of stop switches. The relay would have to be wired so that when the power drops below a certain voltage, it triggers the servo motor to switch directions. The stop switches keep the motor from extending/retracting too far.

I would consider using a plastic form fitting glove to create the hand.

Another random tip: I know this sounds weird... but a few years ago I found a paper mache formula that uses dryer lint. I know... it sounds super weird, but I tried it and it works. I was able to create a much smoother finish with the lint layer than with any other formula I have used. It was very nice.